Cathy Dobson/Local Journalism Initiative

Eleven-year-old Grant Eddie spoke before Sarnia city council Monday, fighting to  keep his basketball hoop on his family’s boulevard and is presentation was a slam dunk.

“I’m really sad we’d have to take down our basketball net,” Grant told council, standing at the podium with his 13-year-old brother, Lucas, and his parents, Emily Grant and Christian Eddie.

“We love playing out there with friends and neighbours.  Please let us keep it up. It’s for everyone.  Even adults come to play,” he said. “Thank you.”

A complaint that the in-ground net in front of the Eddie’s Diane Drive house in Bright’s Grove contravenes a city bylaw, triggered a request by city staff to remove it.

City regulations say anything that can obstruct snow removal, block street sweepers  or interfere with garbage or emergency vehicles, cannot be located on a boulevard.  That could apply to basketball nets. 

But Grant and his two brothers were determined to make their case to council. They canvassed the neighbourhood with a petition and collected 30 signatures from nearby residents who supported them. 

“We understand this was sparked by a single neighbour’s complaint,” said Grant’s mom Emily. 

By insisting the Eddies remove their basketball net, youth throughout the neighbourhood will be penalized, she said. “It removes a healthy, safe outlet for our children…In a world where we constantly worry about youth mental health and screen time, this hoop provides an acceptable solution right at our door.”

The family asked council for a site specific variance for their net and a one-year trial period.

Councillor George Vandenberg liked the idea of a variance so much that he wanted to waive the trial period and make it immediately permanent.

“I just want to say these kids are not in their basement playing video games,” said Vandenberg.  “They are getting exercise with their friends.”

Many residents have basketball hoops set up on boulevards throughout the city, he added. “Just let them play.”

Council voted unanimously to grant the variance but kept the one-year trial period.